Apparatus for filling

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to apparatus for filling a container with product under sterile conditions during filling thereof in a filling cycle, comprising means having a part for dispensing product in a sterile manner during the filling cycle, by a part adapted for sterilizing at least a part of the container during the filling cycle, and by means adapted to provide flushing of the second-mentioned part during the filling cycle. The means comprises a closure of the second-mentioned part, the arrangement being such that there is a relative reciprocable motion between the means and the remainder of the second-mentioned part, whereby to effect a pulsating flushing action in the second-mentioned part.

[0001] The invention relates to an apparatus for filling, and particularly to the filling of a container such as a plastic bag with product and in a sterile manner.

[0002] It is often necessary that a container such as a plastic bag is filled with a product which can be a food or drink product. In such circumstances, it is usually necessary or desirable that the bag is filled and closed with a closure such as a cap under sterile conditions.

[0003] Fill valves as part of a filling apparatus are used, and these have a facility for maintaining the product flow path therethrough sterile, before, during and after filling, but often such valves cannot provide for flushing of the operational parts during a filling cycle to provide a filled bag.

[0004] It is accordingly an object of the invention to seek to mitigate this disadvantage.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for filling a container with product under sterile conditions during filling thereof in a filling cycle, comprising means having a part for dispensing product in a sterile manner during the filling cycle, a part adapted for sterilising at least a part of the container during the filling cycle, and means adapted to provide flushing of the second-mentioned part during the filling cycle.

[0006] The means may comprise a closure of the second-mentioned part, and the arrangement may therefore be such that there is relative reciprocal motion between the means and the remainder of the second-mentioned part, whereby to effect a pulsating flushing action in the second-mentioned part. This provides a pulsating, turbulent flow of flushing medium.

[0007] There may be means to reciprocate the closure with respect to the remainder of the second-mentioned part. Alternatively there may be means to reciprocate the remainder of the second-mentioned part with respect to the closure. In either case, the relative reciprocation provides oscillation which in turn creates the pulsating, turbulent flow during a cleaning or flushing step.

[0008] There may be means to provide a flushing liquid medium within the interior of the second-mentioned part, suitably the means to provide a flushing liquid medium may comprise means to provide a sterile water flushing medium. This is relatively inexpensive, yet effective.

[0009] The closure may comprise a door of the second-mentioned part. This is a relatively simple yet effective construction, particularly when the door may comprise opposed jaws which are adapted to hold a drain during flushing. The jaws also in use to fill a container, are adapted to hold the container too.

[0010] The jaws and drain may have complementary interengageable support means. This provides for simple engagement and disengagement.

[0011] The means to provide a sterile water flushing medium may comprise a fixed inlet of the second-mentioned part. Suitably, there may be two inclined inlets.

[0012] It will be understood that the invention extends to a container, whenever filled with product using apparatus as hereinbefore defined.

[0013] Apparatus embodying the invention is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014]FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of apparatus according to the invention during one step of a filling cycle; and

[0015]FIG. 2 is a similar view to that of FIG. 1 during a second step of a filling cycle, showing an intermediate flush step during a filling cycle.

[0016] Referring to the drawings there is shown apparatus 1 for filling a container such as a plastic bag (not shown) with product 2 such as a food powder or a liquid such as wine under sterile conditions during filling thereof in a filling cycle, comprising means 3 having a part for dispensing product 2 in a sterile manner during the filling cycle, a part 4 adapted for sterilising at least a part of the container during the filling cycle, and means 5 adapted to provide flushing of the second-mentioned part during the filling cycle.

[0017] The apparatus 1 includes the means 2 which is in the form of a fill valve for dispensing product 2 in a sterile manner during a fill cycle. The means is the first-mentioned part.

[0018] The apparatus 1 also includes a pressing device (not shown) such as a bag pad for holding the container or bag to a gland (also not shown) when necessary, and retractable gripping devices or jaws 6 for holding the gland, which is ribbed. The gripping devices or jaws 6 are oppositely facing and have free ends complementary in shape to grip the gland. The devices or jaws 6 are mounted on a mechanism 7 for securing and lowering them, and for moving them into and out of contact with the gland. There is also a second-mentioned part in the form of a chamber in which the bag with the gland can be received when raised thereinto by the jaws 6 during the filling cycle, the chamber having a retractable capper mechanism. Thus the second-mentioned part 4 is for sterilising at least a part of the container during the filling cycle.

[0019] Above, as viewed, the chamber 4 there is the fill valve 3 which has means 8, 9 to sterilise various path or flow ways therethrough, the sterilising medium in the embodiment being steam. There is a path 10 providing a steam barrier round a reciprocable plunger 11, an inlet 12 for the product 2, the steam inlet and exhaust being controlled by means in the form of plungers 13, 14 to control flow of steam to the chamber 4 and bag. The fill valve 3 is a single unit which serves both to sterilise the flow paths therethrough for product 2, and the bag into which the product is to be charged.

[0020] The operation of the apparatus 1 and an operational cycle to fill a bag with product under sterile conditions are described with reference to U.K. patent application No. 9916215.8.

[0021] Turning now to the present invention, the chamber 4 has an inlet, in the embodiment two equidistantly spaced inclined inlets 15, 16 in the form of jets or pipes for the entry of a fluid flushing or rinsing medium in the form of sterile water. There are valves 17 at each inlet 15, 16 to control the flow of sterile water.

[0022] There are jaws 18, 19 which form the closure or door 5 of the chamber 4 and each of which have a nose 20 which noses 20 are opposed and are adapted for complementary engagement with means such as an adaptor or drain 21 for cleaning, rinsing or flushing sterile water. Further, the door 5 is mounted on a device such as a reciprocable plunger device (not shown) which reciprocates the opposed jaws 18, 19 forming the door with respect to a body 22 of the chamber 4. Thus, in use, the jaws are offered up to and grip a bush 21′ of a clean-in-place (CIP) or drain 21 as shown to produce a liquid tight connection, and the plunger device is reciprocated vertically (as viewed) to provide an up and down oscillation of the closure 5 with respect to the body 6 of the chamber 4 which is fixed relatively thereto, so that a pulsating or turbulent flow of the water introduced into the chamber through the inlets 15, 16 is produced, so providing a thorough rinsing or flushing of the interior of the chamber 4 and the jaws 6, 18, 19 as an intermediate chamber flush step during a filling-operational cycle. The flushing sterile water exits the chamber through the bush 21′ and a pipe 22, which with suitable filtering etc, can provide a source of flushing sterile water to the inlets so that recycling is possible.

[0023] It will be understood that modifications are possible. For example, the closure 5 (18, 19) may be fixed and the body 6 may be reciprocable relative thereto to produce the pulsating and/or turbulent motion of the sterile water rinsing or flushing fluid. 

I claim:
 1. Apparatus for filling a container with product under sterile conditions during filling thereof in a filling cycle, comprising means having a part for dispensing product in a sterile manner during the filling cycle, a part adapted for sterilising at least a part of the container during the filling cycle, and means adapted to provide flushing of the second-mentioned part during the filling cycle.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 , the means comprising a closure of the second-mentioned part, the arrangement being such that there is relative reciprocal motion between the means and the remainder of the second-mentioned part, whereby to effect a pulsating flushing action in the second-mentioned part.
 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 , there being means to reciprocate the closure with respect to the remainder of the second-mentioned part.
 4. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 , there being means to reciprocate the remainder of the second-mentioned part with respect to the closure.
 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 , there being means to providea flushing liquid medium within the interior of the second-mentioned part.
 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 , the means to provide a flushing liquid medium comprising means to provide a sterile water flushing medium.
 7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 , the closure comprising a door of the second-mentioned part.
 8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 , the door comprising opposed jaws which are adapted to hold a drain during flushing.
 9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 , the jaws and drain having complementary interengageable support means.
 10. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 , the means to provide a sterile water flushing medium comprising a fixed inlet of the second-mentioned part.
 11. Apparatus as defined in claim 10 , there being two inclined inlets.
 12. Apparatus for filling a container with product under sterile conditions during filling thereof in a filling cycle, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
 13. A container whenever filled using apparatus according to any preceding claim. 